Six pilgrims from Andhra killed in Uttarakhand floods

Hyderabad, June 20 (IANS) Six pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were among those killed in the floods in Uttarakhand while relatives of hundreds of others are anxiously waiting to hear from their near and dear ones.

Five members of a family from Visakhapatnam district were killed in the floods, according to information reaching their relatives. They were among a group of 15 persons who had gone on Char Dham Yatra earlier this month.

Narayana Rao (36), K. Adilakshmi (70), Seeta Ramaswamy (50), Rama Rao (46) and Shyamprasad (46) were reported dead. Three others from the same group were also missing. One of the members of the group Thursday informed their relatives over phone about the tragedy. The group was caught in floods at Rampur checkpost near Kedarnath while returning from the pilgrimage.

A man from Anantapur district was also killed in the floods. J. Veerabhadraiah (21) was in another group of pilgrims stranded on the hills near Kedarnath.

About 150 people survivors reached Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi. The state officials in coordination with railways were making arrangements for their return to their destinations in Andhra Pradesh.

As many 2,800 pilgrims from the southern state are stranded in the floods. Relatives of 25 pilgrims from Kushaiguda in Hyderabad were anxiously waiting to hear about their near and dear ones. They have not heard anything since Saturday when the group was caught in floods while returning from Kedarnath.

Relatives of hundreds of others from Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal, Kurnool and other districts are also anxious to know about their welfare.

The state government officials said they were in constant touch with Uttarakhand authorities to gather information about the pilgrims from the state and were making all steps for their safe return.

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